Scale Model of Goldenrod Land Speed Record Race Car, circa 1965

THF244521 / Scale Model of Goldenrod Land Speed Record Race Car, circa 1965
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Artifact Overview

Bob and Bill Summers set the pattern for wheel-driven land speed record cars -- in a jet-powered era -- with Goldenrod. The car's streamlined shape benefited from wind tunnel tests with a wood model at the California Institute of Technology. Goldenrod set a record of 409.277 miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1965. That record stood until 1991.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1965

Collection Title

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2005.124.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Robert C. Post

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 5.0 in
Width: 7.0 in

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    Artifact

    1965 Goldenrod Land Speed Race Car

    On November 12, 1965, Goldenrod streaked across Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats at 409.277 miles per hour, setting a new land speed record for wheel-driven cars. Builders Bob and Bill Summers powered Goldenrod with four massive Chrysler V-8 engines. Although other car builders copied its sleek design, Goldenrod held the record until 1991.